Danijel Subasic holds key for Monaco's Champions League progression

Much has been made of Monaco's defensive resilience in the build-up to Arsenal's "mission impossible" on Tuesday evening. However, not many people seem to know about the man who has helped the principality side concede only two goals in seven Champions League matches this season.

The Croatian has been in impressive form this season, and he continued his good run of form at the Emirates in February, albeit finding the Gunners in an accommodating mood with a helping hand from a misfiring Olivier Giroud...

In statistical terms, Subasic is on par with world-class stoppers such as Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon. To put things into perspective, Subasic has made more saves per game than Manuel Neuer in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season. Despite Buffon still being considered one of the world's best keepers after another impressive season with Juventus, the 37 year old has made fewer punches per game in Serie A and Europe than Subasic.

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If all those statistics weren't enough to convince even the most optimistic Gunners fans that their team faces an uphill task, to put it mildly, consider this statistic. Earlier this season the 30-year-old kept an impressive eight consecutive clean sheets in Ligue 1, spanning 842 minutes of football. On top of this, Monaco detain the best defensive record in Ligue 1 and on Friday they recorded their 15th clean sheet of the season, more than any other club in the league.

All of this makes dismal reading for Arsene Wenger and his side who must score at least three goals away from home at Monaco's fortress without conceding.

Man behind Monaco's fine defensive record

The Monaco stopper began his footballing career at Hajduk Split and from his performances at the Croatian outfit, was called up to the national team to deputise first choice keeper Pletikosa.

He was then snapped up by the principality club in January 2012 and helped Monaco achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in 2013 by winning the Ligue 2 title in the summer. Since the retirement of Stipe Pletikosa in 204, Subasic is also the number one keeper for the Croatian national team.

No way through the Monaco goal tonight

If, by any given chance, the Gunners attack manages to break through a disciplined and well-organised Monaco defence, they can bank on facing up to an impenetrable wall in the Monaco goal tonight...

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